Baker area -- Photo Tour (Denver, Center: to rent, lofts, crime)

[megan5969]

I'm moving to Denver soon and found a gorgeous Baker Victorian to rent at 1st & Broadway, but I'm wondering... how safe the neighborhood is for a single female?

[tfox]

That's definitely an up and coming area with some beautiful homes. Crime in Baker is way down from what it used to be. I wouldn't generally hesitate to live in Baker.

Is the house actually ON broadway? If so, you might want to think twice. I don't think I'd want to own a single family residence anywhere on broadway given the level of traffic that street has. Your potential for being victimized by crimes like tagging would be way higher if you're on broadway than if you're inside the neighborhood.

[missybitchcakes]

I am a single female, and bought my place here in Baker three years ago. Our neighborhood is lovely, and we are proud of it. It's still mixed, which I enjoy, and occasionally a bit rough around the edges, but I am very comfortable here. I do not drive, so I walk and ride my bike thorough here at variable times of day or night, alone, without fear. 1st and Broadway is great.

[MobyLL]

Pics taken Sunday morning (Dec. 9) in 17 degree weather. This is the Baker neighborhood in Denver about 1-2 miles south of downtown. The pics of the commercial area is South Broadway which forms the eastern boundary of the neighborhood. Since it was Sunday morning, not many people were out and about, plus did I mention it was 17 degrees. S Broadway is fairly lively during regular commercial and professional drinking hours however.

If you are interested, here are some links to photos of a couple of other neighborhoods I took in May 2007:

Platt Park - http://www.city-data.com/forum/denve...uth-pearl.html

Highlands & Central Platte Valley - http://www.city-data.com/forum/denve...ds-photos.html

History of Baker (from BakerNeighborhood.org | Better Community Through Cooperation - Baker Historic Neighborhood Association (broken link) )

Referred to in the early 1800's as South Side or South Broadway, the land where the Baker neighborhood is located today was originally a 160‑acre tract homesteaded by William and Elizabeth Byers. Elizabeth's brother, Edward Sumner, and mountaineer James Beckwourth joined them for the trip to Denver. Armed with a printing press, John Dailei came along with the Byers, and shortly after arriving in Denver published the first issue of the Rocky Mountain News in 1859.

If you have ever wondered how Broadway was created, we have Thomas Skerritt to thank! Following the 1864 flood of Cherry Creek, he dragged a log behind his wagon to create a "broad way" into Denver!

Baker's first subdivisions were platted in 1872 but most development occurred following the annexation of South Side to Denver in 1883. Broadway's cable cars as well as the Circle Railroad system drew citizens to South Side. Two of Denver's mayors were residents of South Side‑Marion D. Van Horn ('1893‑95) and Thomas S. McMurray (1895‑7,). Prominent women from the area include Sadie Likens (the first Police Matron of Denver,), Alice Polk Hill (Colorado's first Poet Laureate) and Mary Coyle Chase (writer of the Pulitzer*winning play Harvey). Much of Baker's development was related to commercial and industrial growth. Denver's professional baseball team played at a ballpark at 6th Avenue and Broadway from 1893‑1922. What is now Denver Health Medical Center is located at the County Hospital site established in 1873 at West 6th Avenue and Bannock. Gradually, Broadway transitioned from residential to the commercial use we see today.

Besides housing the largest number of middle‑class Queen Anne homes in Denver, Baker boasts the Mayan Theatre, one of the most unique buildings in the city. Built in 1930 by architect Montana Fallis, the Mayan was constructed over the fire damaged Queen Theater. With a Pre‑Columbian theme, the theatre is one of a kind. Fortunately, it was saved from demolition in 1984 and fully restored by 1987. Today it is a recognized Denver Landmark and regularly shows independently produced films.

Baker was designated a Historic district in 1985 and continues to draw residents who love the charm of its history and the conveniences of its urban location.
‑Jennifer Collins



1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18 "The Lofts at Byers School" corner of S Bannock & W Byers.


19


20


21


22


23


24


25


26 The Chihuahua was not too happy with the snow


27


28


29


30


31 Nice lady -- I asked if i could take her pic, she says sure, caught a great look don't you think:tup: Sorry Nice Lady!


32 Bailey Park at W Ellsworth & S Cherokee


33


34


35


36


37


38


39


40


41


42


43


44 Love the Mayan

[NeedAChangeFromFL]

Those are awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[denverian]

I've always loved this area. Thanks for the pics! And you even captured a Miniature Pinscher! Mine hates the cold and snow though.

[DenverAztec]

Excellent job in capturing the feel of the Baker neighborhood! I went to high school with the kids that lived in this area and have been in many of these homes. I see my Landmark flicks at the Mayan, or the Esquire theater and love some of the smaller unique stores like Crown and Decade. You will find almost no chain or franchised stores on Broadway, with the exception of intersection of 6th and Broadway or at Alameda. Though it was cold when you shot these, you did a great job with the colors of the Queen Anne homes! Thank you for the post and the history! You need to add the rest of your pictures as they are all great!

[Mike78613]

Agreed! Thank you for sharing your pictures!

[CameraGirl]

Nice Job MobyLL:

Wow, did those pictures ever make me homesick. I love the Mayan: I use to be a film critic and so I have logged in hundreds of hours there. I thought I lived there. I miss their popcorn and the extra exotic toppings they had there. When I try to do the same thing to popcorn at home- it just isn't the same!

I really like pictures #8 and #29- I really like how you shot them through the branches. Nice eye! #29- made me start to sing- "Have a Harry, Jarry Chlistmas- It's the best time of the Year". I can't wait to be walking in the snow & talking to nice, quirky Denver Ladies myself .

[livecontent]

Wonderful! Wonderful! I just want to take a walk down Broadway, stop for some eats, get a beer, stop for more eats, see a movie, get some extra buttered popcorn, stop for more eats, get a beer, get a burrito----great exercise, need to lose weight.

Livecontent